Automatic grain-measuring machine



2 Sheets-#Sheet 1.v

(No Model.)

. A. J. GRISSOM.

AUTOMATIC GRAIN MEASURING MACHINE.

No. 380,718. Patented Apr. l0, 1888.

rl. PETERS, Pnwm-Linmgmphnr. wuhingwn, D. c.

(No Model.) f 2 sheets-fsheet' A. J. GRISso-M. AUTOMATIC GRAIN MBASURING MACHINE. NO. 380,718.

Patented Apr AHI NAN UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ABRAM JACKSON GRISSOM, OF HITE VRIGHT, TEXAS.`

AUTOMATIC GRAIN-MEASURING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,718, dated .April 10, 1888.

Application filed November 18. 1587. Serial No. 255,523. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABEAM J AoKsoN GnissOM, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at White Vright, in the county of Grayson and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Grain-Measuring Machines, of which the following is a speciiication. Y v

My invention relates to an improvement in automatic grain-measuring machines; and it consists in the peculiar construction and cornbination of devices, that will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is partly an elevation and partly a vertical sectional view of one side of my improved grainmeasuring machine. Fig. 2 is a similar View of the opposite side thereof, not in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical central longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view. Fig. 5 is an eleva tion of the discharge end of the grain-measuring machine. Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detailed views of the registering device. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the inner side of the crossbar L.

A represents a series of vertical corner posts or standards, which have their upper ends connected in pairs by longitudinal side boards, B. Transverse end boards, C, connect the ends of the side boards, B, as shown.

D D represent a pair of vertical standards, which are secured to the outer sides of the boards B at a suitable distance from one end of the same, and the said standards D D project above and below the said boards. The upper ends of the said standards are connected by a crossbar, E.

F F represent a pair of vertical standards, which are arranged parallel with the standards D D', respectively, and have their lower ends connected with the boards B. lThe upper ends of the said standards F F are connected by a cross-bar, G, which is parallel with the bar E.

H represents a hopper, which is supported on the bars E and Gbetween the centers of the same, and is provided with a discharge-opening, in which is a hinged door or valve, I, that is adapted to open and close the said dischargeopening.

The standards` D and F are connected ata suitable distance from their upper ends by a bar, K, and the standards Dv and F are connected at a suitable distance from their upper endsby a bar, L.

M represents an inclined chute, which has its upper end secured to the depending ends of the standards D D and `its lower end secured between the opposing sides of one pair of the standards A. The discharge end ofthe chute M is controlled by a hinged gate, N.

O represents a revoluble measuring-head, which is composed of a series of boxes, T, having their inner sides connected to a common axis, R. The boxes T are so arranged that one side of each box projects much farther beyond4 the axis than the opposite side.

S represents a series of sectors, which'are arranged on one end of the revoluble heads, are concentric with the axis thereof, and are secured to the endsof the boxes T, spaces l ot suitable width being left between the ends of the sectors.

From the center of the revoluble measuringhead, at the ends of the same, project trunnions U V. The trunnion U isjournaled in an opening in one of the boards B, and the trunnion V is journaled in the shorter end of a lever, W, which has its fulcrum on the opposite hoard B. On the long arm of the lever Wis secured a weight, X, which weight is adjustable thereon and is provided with a setscrew, by means of which it may be secured to thelatter at any desired adjustment. The sectors S on one end of the revol-uble head are provided on their outer sides with eccentric recesses Y.

Zrepresents a lever, which is arranged on the inner side of the bar K and is pivoted on the bolt A. The lower end of this lever is weighted, so that the lever is normally maintained in a vertical position.

B represents a rock-shaft, which is journaled in suitable bearings on the under side of cross-bar G, is provided at its outer end with a downward-extending arm, C', and is provided at its inner end with a curved arm, E', which bears against the bottom of the valve I.

G represents a rod, which connects thelower end of the arm C to the upper end of the lever Z. The ends of the boxes T which are opposite the sectors are provided each with a stop, Iii', and a stop, I', in line with and beyond the outer end of the stop H', and on the shoulder or offset, N', and the free end of the said gravity-latch is adapted to bear normally on the upper side of the stop K'.

O' represents a lever, which is pivoted on the inner side of one of the boards B, has its long arm adapted to bear against the eccentric grooves ofthe sectors S, and has its short arm connected to a retractile spring, P', the function of which is to keep the lever normally in engagement with one ofthe sectors, as shown in Fig. 1.

R' represents a rod, which is attached to the lever O at a suitable distance from the upper end thereof, and the inner end of said rod extends through an opening in a register-box, S', which is arranged in one corner ofthe same.

The construction of the registering apparatus is as follows:

T' represents a transverse shaft, which connects the centers of the sides of the box S', and on the said shaft is journaled a series of disks, U', V', and NV', each of which is decagonal in shape. The said disks being all of the same size, the faces of each disk are numbered from 0 to 9 consecutively, and the said disks are each provided with ten transverse openings arranged on a circle concentric with the ceuters of the disks. On the outer side of the disk W', which indicates units, is secured a ratchet wheel, X', which is provided with twenty teeth.

Y' represents a spring-actuated piu, which is arranged in transverse aligned openings made in the outer disk, XV', and in the ratchetwheel X'. The outer end of this pin is normally projected beyond the outer side of the ratchet-wheel and enters an annular groove, Z', which is made in one side of the box S'.

A represents a spring-actuated pin, which is arranged in one of the openings in the disk V', and the inner end of which normally bears against the inner side of the disk W'.

B2 represents a series of spring detents, which bear against the peripheries of the disks and serve to prevent the same from turning idly on the shaft. Y

Cll represents a spring-detour, which engages the ratchet-wheel X' and prevents the same and the diskW', to which it is connected, from rotating in a retrograde direction. In the upper side of the annular groove G' is a camblock, D2, which extends transversely across the said groove and has one side inclined or beveled, as shown.

On the front or discharge end of the frame of the machine is secured a longitudinallymovable rod, E', which is in guides or staples F, that are arranged at a suitable distance above the upper edge of the door or gate N. At the inner end of the rod El is a curved arm, G2, which is adapted to bear against the outer side ofthe door N, and at the inner end of the said rod E2 is an arm, H2, which is adapted to be engaged by a keeper, I2.

K2 represents a sack-holder, which comprises a yoke, L2, made of a metal rod bent substantially in form of the letter U, and having its arm secured on the under side of the chute, at the discharge end thereof, by means of keepers M", which permit the yoke to be forced inl ward under the bottom ofthe chute or drawn outward under the discharge end thereof, as will be readily understood.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The weighted lever W normally raises the trunnion V oi' the revoluble measuring-head to the level of the trunniou U, so that the stop I will ride over the stop L' and will bear against the inner end of the stop K', the weight is adjusted on the lever V to indicate the number of pounds in ahalf-bushel of the grain to be measured, and the grain is fed through the hopper into the box T which happens to be on the upper side of the revoluble head. While the machine is in this initial position the weighted lever Z is in a vertical position, with its lower end engaged by one end of one of the sectors, and the rod C connected to the said weighted lever holds the rock-shaft B' in such a position that the arm E' thereof supports the valve or door l in a vertical position, thereby permitting an unobstructed iow of the grain into the upper boX of the revoluble head. rPhe lever O' meanwhile is at the rear limit of its stroke, with its upper end bearing against the face ofthe eccentric groove on one of the sectors, and the operatingrod R', which is attached to the said lever and passes through an opening in the inner side of the registeringbox, has its inner end out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel X' of the regis` ter. As soon as enough grain has been discharged in the upper box ofthe revoluble head to make a half-bushel, the weight ot' the same counter-balances the weightX on the lever W, and the trunnion V descends with one side ot` the revoluble head, so as to bring the stop I' below and out of engagement with the-stop K', and thepreponderating weight ofthe measured portion of the grain beyond the aXis of the revoluble head causes the latter to instantly turn, as will be readily understood, and discharge the contents ofthe box T into the chute. At the initial movement of the revoluble head the weighted lever Z is turned on its pivot by the sector which engages its lower end, and thereby the rock-shaft B' is turned so as to close the valve or door I in the dischargeopening of the hopper, and thereby prevent the grain from escaping while the revoluble head is turning. Vhen the head has turned through one-third ofa circle, the grain in the box has been discharged into the chute, so that the weighted lever XV has again elevated the trunnion V. As the next box Tis brought to the top of the revoluble head, itsstops H' and l' pass on opposite sides of the stop L', so as to clear the latter, and the stop l'strikes the rear side ofthe offset or shoulder N' of the latch M',

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so as to raise the said latch and permit the stop I to pass under the offset or shoulder N. and as soon as the said stop I clears the said offset or shoulder N the latch drops by its own gravity, so as to throw its offset or shoulder behind thestop l,and thereby prevent the revoluble head from turning in the wrong direction. The weight on the lever W serving to keep the trunnion V elevated, the stop I engages the rear end of the stop Kand the revoluble head is thereby locked with its uppermost box arranged under the hopper. While the revoluble head is making the partial rotation thus described, the weighted lever Z, being on the upper side of the engaging-sector, is maintained by the same in such a position as to keep the door or valve I' closed; but when the revoluble head reaches the limit of its partial rotation, with its uppermost box arranged under the hopper, the sector has passed beyond the lower end of the weight-lever Z, and the latter instantly drops into one of the spaces l3 and reassumes its initial position, thereby causing the rock-shaft B to open the valve or door I and permit the grain to fall into the upper measuring-box.

While the revoluble head is describing its partial rotation, the operating-lever O', which bears against the eccentric groove or cam on one of the sectors at its outer end, is gradually pressed rearward by the said cam or groove, so that the rod lt is caused toengage one of the teeth of the ratchet X and move the same a distance of one tooth, thereby turning the disk W the corresponding distance, and when the revoluble head reaches its initial position, before described, at the end of its partial rotation the earn groove on the sector which has been in engagement with the lever O passes beyond the same, and the spring instantly causes the said lever to reassume its initial position and to bear against the inner end of the cam or groove in the next succeeding sector, thereby withdrawing the rod R and arranging' the same in position to engage the next succeeding ratchet-tooth. The stop H slides against the lower side of the stop L', and thereby directs the stop l against the shoulder or offset of the gravity-catch.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that as each succeeding'rneasuring-box discharges its half-bushel of grain into the chute the disk W of the registering device will be moved through the one-twentieth part of a circle,while the disks V and U remain stationary. When twenty half-bushels or ten bushels of grain have been measured, the disk W has been caused to make a complete rcvolution corresponding to ten units, which brings the pin Y,which has described a complete circle in the annular groove Z', into contact with the inclined side of the camblock D2. At the next succeeding partial rotation ofthe measuring-head the disk W will move the space corresponding to one unit, and the pin Y thereof, as it passes over the cam-block D2,will be forced inward by thelatter and caused to engage one of the openings in the disk V, so as to move the latter,which indicates tens, through one space with the disk W,when the number of bushels measured will be indicated as being one unit and one ten, or, in other words, eleven. Vhen a hundred bushels have been measured, the disk VVwill have been rotated ten times and the disk V will have been rotated once, and the pin Y will register with the pin A2 in the disk V', and at the next movement of the disk 'W' its pin Y will be forced inward by the cam-block and caused to force the pin A2 inward, so as to engage one of the openings in the disk U', and thereby the said latter disk, which represents hundreds,will be turned one space, and so on. When three disks are employedin the register, as hereinbefore described, the same will keep a correct register of the number of bushels lneasured by the machine up to one thousand. Byincreasing the number of disks the register may be adapted to indicate any desirednumber of bushels. When a suftlcient quantity of the grain has been measured in the chute to ll a sack, the operator draws the sack-holder forward, stretches the mouth of the sack over the same, and moves the rockshaft E2 inward in the keepers F2, so as to cause its arm H2 to clear the keeper or detent I2, when the shaft or rod E2 may be turned upward, so as to cause its arm G2 to release its pressure 0n the door or gate N, when the weight of the superincumbent mass of grain will force the said door open and the grain will be discharged into the sack, after which the door and the rock shaft or rod will drop to their initial positions, and the operator will only have to move the rod E2 outward a slight distance to cause its arm H2 to be again engaged by the detent or keeper I2, which will serve to keep the gate or door closed while the sack is being removed and an empty one substituted and grain is being measured into the chute. l

When the measuring-machine is used in connection with a thrashing-machineto measure the grain as it is thrashed, an endless elevator of suitable form will be employed to deliver the grain from the thrashing-machine into the hopper of the measuring-machine.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination, in a grain-measuring machine, of the revoluble head having the boxes provided with the stops l', the counterbalance-lever supporting one end of the axis of the head,and the stop K,to successively engage each of the stops I, and thereby arrest the rotation of the revoluble head, substantially as described. l

2. The combination of the revoluble head having lthe boxes or compartments T,provided with the stops I', the weighted lever supporting one end of the axis of the head, the stop K, adapted to engage each of the stops l in succession, and the latch M', having the shoulder or offset N', adapted to be tripped by the IOO IIO

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stops I and fall behind the same, and thereby prevent retrograde rotation of the head, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the hopper having the valve I, the measuring-head having the boxes or compartments adapted to pass in snccessiou under the hopper and provided with the cam-sectors having the spaces P between them, the lever Z, adapted to be engaged successively by the said cam-sectors and to drop into the said recesses, and connections between the said lever and the Valve to automatically close the latter as each measuring boX or compartment passes from under the hopper, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the revoluble counterbalanced measuring-head having the boxes or compartments and the cam-sectors, the spring-actuated lever O', bearing against the said cam-sectors in succession, the` registering mechanism,and connections between the same and the lever O, whereby the latter will antomatically operate the registering mechanism as the head revolves, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the revoluble counterbalanced measuring-head having the boxes or compartments and the cam-sectors, the spring-actuated lever O,engaging the said sectors in succession, the registering mechanism having the operating ratchet-wheel, and the rod attached to the lever O and adapted to engage and operate the ratchet-wheel as the head revolves, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence oi' two witnesses.

ABRAM JACKSON GRISSOM.

Witnesses:

JOHN M. CoLLINs, A. L. MCCAMPBELL. 

